Work checking machine



Jan. 3, 1950 c. s. KASPER 2,493,147

WORK CHECKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22; 1944 3 Shets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

HTTDIT/V Y Jan. 3, 1950 c. s. KASPER' 2,493,147

WORK CHECKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 6455 5, Kasper.

Jan. 3, 1950 c. s. KASPER 2,493,147

WORK CHECKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

disc 34 is fastened to a central shaft 38 which projects downwardly through the top H and is suitably journaled in bearings secured to the top so that the disc will turn about the axis of the shaft. Below the top, as seen best by Fig. 2, the shaft 38 is connected to a ratchet wheel 40, and the teeth of the wheel are adapted to be engaged by a pawl 4| which is pivoted, as indicated at 42, to a slide 43 on the underside of the top. A spring 44, normally urges the pawl into tooth engaging position, while allowing the pawl to have an idle return movement. At its end opposite the pawl, the slide 43 has a slot 45 and a pin 46 and this pin, as best shown by Fig. 1, is engaged by a bifurcated end 41 of a bell crank 48. The bell crank is pivoted, as indicated at 49, to a bracket 50 hanging from the top H and at its end opposite the bifurcation 41, the bell crank has a roller 50 which contacts a cam 52 secured to the shaft l9. A spring 54 connected to the bell crank and to the bracket 50 normally holds the roller in contact with the cam.

The cam 52 and the eccentric 22 are so arranged and designed that during the upward movement of the plate 30 or rather during the upper part of the upward movement of the plate, the bell crank 48 is moved so as to cause the disc 34 to index circumferentially to the next position. During the major and final downward movement of the plate 30 the work supporting disc 34 is, of course, stationary.

A piece of work to be tested is shown in Fig. 1, at 56, and generally is in the forming a bushing having a side wall 51 and a bottom wall 58 having an opening 59 at its center. The bushing shown has two inside diameters indicated at 69 and BI, respectively. Each workpiece substantially but slidably fits the opening in liner 36 and rests on a fixed plate 62 disposed beneath the disc 34. Hence, as the disc turns or indexes, the piece of work will slide on the plate 62.

Before describing specifically the mechanism for checking particular dimensions of the workpiece and causing unsatisfactory pieces to be rejected, it seems advisable to briefly refer to the manner in which the machine operates. An operator of the machine loads the disc at one point, or, in other words, he places the workpiece in the openings in the disc 34 and does this as each opening reaches a certain point. any one certain piece of work reaches a certain position by the indexing movement, one dimension is checked and this is accomplished as the plate 39 moves downwardly. If the dimension is not satisfactory, the piece of work is discharged from the disc and depending upon the nature of the checking, this discharge may occur at the same position the work is checked in, or in a succeeding position. check, succeeding checks are successively made, and if any one of them fails, the workpiece is discharged accordingly. A discharge tube is provided for each checking stage and consequently the several collections of failures will be grouped ,1

according to the nature of the defect. If the work is satisfactory, it is automatically discharged when it passes a final point near the load point. Hence, the machine constantly may When wardly through a sleeve 69 secured in the pram, and a spring within the sleeve and engaging a fixed bushing 10 therein at its upper end and a collar H on the pin at its lower end normally urges the plunger downwardly. Above the plate 30, a collar 12 is threaded on the pin so as to be adjustable vertically and this collar has a frustoconical wall 13 which is engageable with a roller 14 on a switch arm 15 forming part of a switch 16 carried by the plate.

The plate 62, underneath the disc 34, has a radial slot 18 extending inwardly underneath the plunger 65 and a shutter 19 is radially slidable in this slot. From this, it should be evident that as the shutter 19 is withdrawn radially the slot 18 is uncovered beneath the opening in disc 34 and as a result the workpiece above it can fall. Beneath the plate 62, a secondary top 80 supports the plate 62 and this secondary top has an opening 82 in line with the inner end of the slot 18. Such opening is connected to a discharge tube 8| extending through the side wall 12 of the tube.

The shutter 19 is releasably connected as indicated at 84 to a bar 85 extending through a first solenoid 86 and beyond this solenoid the bar is connected to a second bar 81 extending through a second solenoid 88. The solenoid 86 is designed to pull the shutter 19 outwardly so as to uncover the reject or discharge opening in order that the workpiece may fall downward through the tube 8| while the solenoid 88 is designed to return the shutter to close the opening. For controlling the first solenoid 8B, the switch 16 is located in the circuit of the solenoid by means of wires 90, 9! and 92 and when the switch is closed by the collar 12 the solenoid operates to open the shutter. The shutter is returned when a circuit through the solenoid 88 is closed by means of a normally closed switch 93 having a roller type arm 94. This switch is opened when the plate 30 is lowered and closes automatically when the plate is elevated. In the position shown by Fig. 1, the

switch 93 is open but when the plate 30 is raised the spring arm moves slightly to the left and the switch automatically closes.

Assuming the workpiece is in the opening, as seen in Fig. 1, and the machine is operating, the

plate 30 moves downwardly from an upper position and if the two diameters 6B and 6! move fully into the two diameters of the workpiece, the full movement of the plate 30 downwardly will not cause the collar 12 to move the switch operating roller 14. Hence, the solenoid 86 will If the work passes the first be operated since the openings will be clear when not be energized and the shutter will remain in its closed position. However, if either diameter should not move downwardly into the respective diameter in the workpiece, downward movementof the plunger 65 will be arrested and then the continued movement of the plate 30 and switch 16 downwardly will cause the switch roller to move over the collar 12 so as to close the switch and thereby energize the solenoid 86. The shutter now will open and the workpiece will fall downwardly through the discharge tube 8|. Therefore, with a satisfactory check, the workpiece will remain in position due to the fact that the shutter remains closed and hence will advance to the next position when the disc 34 indexes, but if the workpiece does not pass this first check, the piece will be rejected. Upon downward movement of the plate 30, the indexing of the disc 34 will occur so that the succeeding workpiece will be brought into position for the check described, while the checked piece will acvaiice 'rcr a succeeding ii it has passed the i-Irst check.

The succeeding check may consist in the cheeking ef an outsidefiia niten'f-the w orlpiece and the device for-accomplishing this result is" shown in Fig-5. this easeFthepIate Whas aplunger flWsimflarto transmit-n inFigJ l y with the =ex+ ception that its lewen end hes a tapered siet .tnl into which a pin I02 projects; lhis pin 'is fliied 40 a rod oh-bar I 03 whi-ch -is slidably mounted in a block 'flfl fixed'tothe secondary tepfitnl "Writs innerend, the rod I63 -'has a i educed erid I05 which is adapted to heme through an opening ffifi 'in the edge wall 'ofthe disc and eontaot the side ot' 'theworkpiece. l-it should be unde'rstood thatvthe edge wall oi the disc ch hole in the -disc 'has' this n'g I 06 So that the cliecksl'iown by Fig; 5 can he":made onzeach workpiece that reaches; this' -pr'i's'i-tion.-

sole'noids i m iend ma, lik-e the solenoids- 186 and 1' 88 -ar'e" provided for opening andcclosing 'aa shutter. N19,: respectiveiyuand theseisolenoids are adaptedi-to :be energized loyfi-sw'itches I tozaridf H I. 'Withia .workpiece'inithe opening, therlplatemfl 'im'oves idown-wardly: and :due. to theutaperizigisiot In I -therodi I o3iis sl'iiited iinwardly so an to move the end -HI5 =againstethe'-workpiece. :Nowpif the diameter of the workpiece is too larfgegdoWnWard movement of the iplunger 4-00 is #arrested and then l the continned downwardmovementtofi the :plate 130 "will :cause the switch IHI v to "-be '.c1 ose'd windzthisui-n tnrn will:energ-ize the-solenoid HIIaso a-s toopen theshti-tteri I09. :rrnen the discharged fipiece willrtall downwardly through a second tube II2' Which-leads to another pointroutsidethebase. Upon- :npwardr movement of the: plate r3il theree'zf-ter, thesplunger" to 9 1s": retracted verticallys'and 'the 'rddLIII3 horizontally-mid the switch I II closes 'so -as to energizerthe solenoid 'IDB' WhlchwIoSes the: shutter I09. 'lheretoral if the piece is of too large a diameter; it is r'ej ectedt andi fall-s1 through the tuhe l I2,':but-i it is not'too largeinidiameter, the shutter "remains closed, and Qthe tworkpiee'e moves on to the next position when the disc -moves.

It mlght be mentioned at-this point thatIthe sameuevice'may be usedi for checking theisame diametenso as tore; ectthspiece ifithel diameter is .too sinall. In this event, a switch :1 Iain the -circuit of solenoid-iflhwould he closed by an ele- -'ment I M :onvthe plungerewhem=the12latter moves too far-downwardly. -lniother"-woi ds, if the i li- -ameterrof the' workpiece -'were-'= too' small, switch In the nextcheckthe size-of thesmall openirig -59in the bottom-of the workpiecemayfbe checked. For accomplishing this 1 result, the: mechanism shown"-by 'Fig. 4- isxprovided. In' this caseathe .v'p1ate'3ll has a plunger II5 Whichiisiiadapted lto -eng'age a 'vertically slidablerpm I I thesec'ondary top- 80. The-pin I I6 ais urgediupwardly by means of-a spring l IIvso: that it normally returns to'its' raised position *when the piate 30ais elevated. One" side of thez pin' II t 'has raok teeth I I 9 an'd theseengage-teeth on a turnable'pim 120 'supp0rted ii1 the top Bfl. At thecopposite side,

the "teeth on the pin I20' engage rack tee'th 'i 2 Hon a'vertically' slidable element- I22 aligned vertically with the I openinglin' the Y disc: 34; At its upper end; the' el'em'er it 122 lias- 1 small gaee pin m "-which "is adapted to enten the m'aeiiing 59 im the workpiece. Perhaps; it sh'ould ne stated nere thatdniat least"one:particulaminstance,the open- '6 ing BS :mighhhave alslighttaper increasing to a larger: diameter'at-its lower end whicbwoul'd require 1 checking from'fbeneath theworkpiece A instead of-Irom above it. "The device-shown by Fig. 4 is 1 for checking dimensions from beneath the workpiece and there'iare-many instances where this would be: required.

In VieW' OLthefii act that the pieces 'checked at 'thissta'ge froinuriderneathzcannot be discharged l at the same location, means is provided to efiect discharge at the succeeding station. Foraccomplishingthis resultga switch operating 'bar I26 is provided on the plunger I I and as-the plunger moves sufliciently lfdownwardly it closes a-switch 5 I21 which is-in the circuit or a solenoid I28 :catedhelow the top II. This solenoid is conheated to a vertically movable pin I29 which is adapted to'be moved upwardly into openings I30 in the disc 34. Within this opening I30:a sho'rt pin l3l' is'provided which may be held in either 'of two positions by mean-s of a spring pressed ball I32 engageablawith either of two notches I33 and I34 in the side of the'pin. If the solenoid l28 is energizeiit moves the pin I29 up- -wardly soas 'to' throw'the shortipin' I3I into a raised :position.

Now; if the plunger I I5- moves too far "down- 'wardly, resulting'from .thet-pin- I24 moving too far upwardly into theopening 59 in the workp'ie'ce,'the pin I3 I will be thrown upwar'dly by 'energization' of theisolenoid. 'That is-all that will occur at this stage. "Upon raisingof the plate 30, the solenoid is deenergizedand the in I29- is retracted either byl' gravity' or by a. springthat mayibe'provided'for this :purpose. At the same time, 'the'chec'king rpm I22 will be retracted downwardly. Then the disc 34 Will -index to'its neirtp'osition carrying the workpiece with'it.

Dischar-geofthe defective workpiece in the f event the short'pin I3I is thrown upwardly'when opening 59 is'too large, isiefiected by theraised pin' I3I .closing aiswitch I35: located on the top BO'as seen in' Fig. '2. I The switch is in the circuit of ia solenoid: I36'iwhich is connected to a shutter '45 I31 so as'the disc-indexes, the'raised pin I3I will iclosef the switchnand open the shutter thereby allowing :the rejected workpiece to discharge through a thirdtube to the exterior of the "base. "A' pin I3I is provided foreach workpiece opening iand 'unless the pinsare elevated the workpieces will not be rejected :and hence are'satisfactory in so far as the. check. on hole 59 is concerned. "'A solenoid I38 adjacent the solenoid I36 may be used to close the 'shutter I42and1such solenoid "-'l3fi'may be energized 'by a switch such as the switches III =and 93'which automatically close wizhen the plate: 30 aga'in .is elevated. .Itmight be observed at this point that the pins may be returned automatically to' their lower positions I at "(many location beyond-the shutter I31 merely'loy providing' an abutment underneath which they 'mustride so as-to 'be-pressed downwardly again. it is"evid'ent that the device shown by Fig. 4 might" be used for testing thedepth' of an open- ==c5 ing in the bottom of the'workpiece or for making any test where upwardmovement into the workpiece-would determine whether or not the latter is satisfactory.

In the constructionz'shownby Fig. 3, the same '70 machine in general? may be employed excepting 2 that instead-of using an electric'motor for operating the machine, hydraulic means are employed. 'As illustrated, the base of the machine houses a cylinder'2l5 having a vertically reciprocatory -piston: orrod: 2'1 6*? secured "to the: p1ate: -3Il'-.- which may be elevated or lowered by flow of liquid under pressure either into the lower or upper end of the cylinder as the case may be. Indexing of the disc 34 may be efiected in substantially the same manner as previously described, excepting that the bell crank for operating the pawl slide has an end 2H fitting in a groove 2! in a collar M9 fixed to the rod 2I6. Any suitable control apparatus may be used for effecting continuous reciprocation of the rod 2l6, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The indexing ratchet wheel in this case is also indicated at 40 and secured to the lower end of a sleeve element 220 by means of a nut 22| and such sleeve element is turnable in an opening 222 in the table top H. At its upper end, the sleeve element 226 has a wide rim rotating in a recess 224 in the top and the upper surface of the rim is flush with the surface of said top. The rod 2l6 is made in two parts so as to provide a separation line at the top of the table and the upper part of the rod is indicated at 227 and is fastened to the lower part by a bolt 228.

A second sleeve element 230 having a rim 23| at its lower end is journaled on the rod portion 221 and for drivingly connecting the sleeve elements, keys 232 are employed between the rims on their adjacent ends. This second sleeve is journaled in a central opening 233 in a secondary top 234 secured by bolts 235 to the top II and at its upper end the sleeve element is drivingly connected to the disc 34. A nut 236 is threaded on the sleeve element above the disc. The sleeve element and disc are thereby retained assembled with the top 234 when it is removed from top ll. Opposite ends of the plate 30 are connected to vertical posts 21' and 28 which are slidable through openings in the two tops II and 234. It should now be evident that by removing bolts 235 and 228, the secondary top disc 34 and sleeve element 230, and the plate 30 may be removed as a unit from the top II. It follows that units designed to operate on different types of pieces of work may be made and that one unit may be quickly substituted for another so that the machine can readily be changed to handle difierent work. More particularly, the discs 34 may have different types and sizes of openings for the work and the plate 33 may be equipped with appropriate checking devices. Discharge openings will of course be provided in the secondary top 234 to coincide with'the discharge tubes 8% and connections such as the pins 84 on the shutter bars 19 are releasable so that the secondary top which carries the shutters may be engaged to and disengaged from the solenoids.

The same results may be accomplished in the motor driven unit shown by Fig. 1 by having the top 80, disc 34 and plate 30 removable as a unit and employing releasable connections where necessary in order to obtain the result of having units designed for different work and which may be substituted one for another merely by removing the secondary top, disc and upper plate.

The controls in the hydraulic arrangement for checking the dimensions of a workpiece and rejecting unsatisfactory pieces, etc., may be substantially as previously described and may thus be operated by solenoids. However, instead of using solenoids, fluid devices may be used for moving the shutter in reverse directions and the switches may be used for controlling solenoid valves that in turn would govern the flow of fluid to the fluid pressure device. In other words, in the machine shown by Fig. 3, the various movements may be efiected by means of hydraulic de-- vices instead of by solenoids and an electric motor.

Although more than one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A workpiece checking machine comprising a frame having a top, a plate above the top having an opening for receiving individual pieces of work to be checked, a member above the plate and reciprocatory towards and from it, a movable gage element on the member for checking a diameter on the workpiece, means depending upon the movement of the gage element for denoting failure of the workpieces to meet a predetermined dimensional requirement, drive means below the top, means including a vertically reciprocatory post, extending through the top and plate operatively connecting the drive means to the member so that the latter may be reciprocated, said post being transversely divided intermediate its ends, means connecting the two ends of the post releasably together so that the upper part of the post may be removable with the reciprocatory member, and means releasably connecting the plate to the top.

2. A workpiece checking machine, comprising a frame having a fixed top, a secondary top releasably secured on the first top, said tops having coinciding central openings, a sleeve mounted in each opening, means on the adjacent ends of the sleeves releasably connecting them so that one sleeve may be driven by the other, a workpiece supporting-disk above the secondary top and secured to the sleeve therein, so that the disk will be rotated with the sleeve, means for turning the disk in the first top, a post extending upwardly through the two sleeves and above the disk, means for vertically reciprocating the post, and gage means carried by the upper end of the post and adapted to cooperate with workpieces on the disk.

3. In a workpiece checking machine, comprising a frame having a fixed top, a secondary top releasably secured on the first top, said tops having coinciding central openings, a sleeve in each of the openings, flanges on the adjacent ends of the sleeves having a cooperating drive engagement so that the upper sleeve may be driven by the lower sleeve, a work-supporting disk above the secondary top and secured to the upper end of the upper sleeve, a post extending upwardly through the two sleeves, gage means carried by the upper end of the post for testing workpieces on the disk, means for turning the disk, and means for reciprocating the post.

4. In a workpiece checking machine, comprising a frame having a fixed top, a secondary top releasably secured on the first top, said tops having coinciding central openings, a sleeve in each of the openings, flanges on the adjacent ends of the sleeves having a cooperating drive engagement so that the upper sleeve may be driven by the lower sleeve, a work-supporting disk above the secondary top and secured to the upper end of the sleeve, a post extending upwardly through the two sleeves, gage means carried by the upper end of the post for testing workpieces on the disk, means for turning the disk, means for reciprocating the post, said post being divided intermediate its ends so that the upper part of the post may be removed, and means releasably connecting the two parts of the post, whereby the secondary top, disk and upper part of the post may be readily removed as a unit.

CASS S. KASPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,367,191 Leckie Feb. 1, 1921 1,442,233 Norton Jan. 16, 1923 1,544,762 King July 7, 1925 Number Number 

